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hello_ned's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very interesting idea, well thought out with good call back and foreshadowing. I didnt really know what to imagine during the fight scenes when they were flying. Are they humans? Are they bats? It seemed a little funny to think of humans just flying above north yorkshire, talons locked, in a swirl of doom. overall really enjoyed, like most of Matt Haigs work :)
jefferz's review against another edition
3.0
On paper this book wasn't going to be my cup of tea as I am generally uninterested and detached from stories focusing on familial drama. While I struggled to stay invested for majority of the first 2/3 of the book, my patience was rewarded by the last 70 or so pages that surprisingly connect all the loose threads in such an explosive and exciting manner (rewarding endings seem to be a trend for me and Matt Haig novels). I was almost taken aback at how much action happens in such a short number of pages vs the rest of the novel that spent so much time setting the characters and pieces into place.
As other reviews that covered, the vampire elements and lore take a back seat to the drama and relationships between the Radley family members and suspicious neighbors in the quiet village of Bisthopthorpe, though they do have key moments that are integral to the plot. Would've rated the first 2/3 of the book 2 stars and the last 1/3 4 stars so we'll go with an average of 3.
As other reviews that covered, the vampire elements and lore take a back seat to the drama and relationships between the Radley family members and suspicious neighbors in the quiet village of Bisthopthorpe, though they do have key moments that are integral to the plot. Would've rated the first 2/3 of the book 2 stars and the last 1/3 4 stars so we'll go with an average of 3.
mrsroudy's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
3.0
marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
At first I found this really entertaining; however, it was extremely long. I felt that the length hinders the experience as I found that I kept looking to see how much book was left more often than not. Additionally, it would be helpful if narrator-character changes were more pronounced because it will switch during a chapter without a real notice.
badseedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
Matt Haig wrote my most read review, The Dead Fathers Club. Unfortunately it is one of the snarkiest reviews I have ever written. In that review I said I was going to read this book, but I have not gotten around to reading it until now. Mostly because I was concerned about not liking the book, and having to do another negative review.
The conversation I would love to have with Matt Haig, author of The Dead Fathers Club and The Radleys.* We would be sitting in that same small diner drinking our hot beverage of choice.
"Hey Mr. Haig, I am so glad you were willing to meet with me again." Badseedgirl said as she slowly sipped her decaf earl grey tea.
Matt said a tad to forcefully "Well you took long enough to get back to me. I though you said you were going to read my other books in that "review." Badseedgirl personally though the air quotes when he said review were unnecessary, but none the less understandable.
"I really meant to but you know how..." but before she could finish the sentence, Matt hissed at her "Six years! you waited six years to give my work another chance. Meanwhile that dumpster fire you called a review slowly crept up the Goodreads review list to become the most liked review for my book. Are you happy with yourself? Do you sleep well at night? "
Badseedgirl held up her hand in a placating manner and said in as calm a voice as she could manage "Please let me explain. I know I said I was going to read your other book and then promptly forgot about it, but I'm old, and busy, and reading is a hobby for me, not career. I am very sorry about that other review. Let me say my piece and if you are still mad at me after, I understand."
Matt slouched back on his side of the booth and waiving his hand in a grand gesture said "I'm listening."
"I loved The Radleys. It was entertaining and the characters were well written. The conversations between characters was smooth and transitioned nicely from character to character. If you remember I said that was my biggest complaint about the last book. I even said I liked the story.
The Radleys will appeal to any person who feels like an outcast. Using vampirism as a metaphor for differentness was inspired, because it works on so many levels. Hiding who you are to please the people around you is unfortunately very common, be it, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, economic status or whatever makes a person different; they should all emphasize with this family.
I do have one question though."
Matt perked up. "What do you want to know?"
Badseedgirl reluctantly asked "Do you have a brother, and if so what the heck did he do to you? This is the second book of yours I have read where I mean, come on, Freud would have a field day with this stuff."
Matt sighs and shakes his head. "I'm sorry but I'm not going to discuss my family dynamics with you. If you really want to know, you are going to have to get on the internet and weed through hundreds of posts and articles to try and ferret that information out."
Badseedgirl realized she was just not interested enough to do any research and decided to just leave it at malicious, unresearched gossip, because isn't that how we roll these days with information on the internet!
"So Matt, do you feel you can forgive me with this review?"
Badseedgirl, I just want to know one thing, did you purchase my book, The Radleys?
Now it is Badseedgirl's time to be in the hot seat. "We-e-e-l-l-l-l, you know it is available on Amazon Unlimited, so in a way I did. I got a really great deal on 6 months of Kindle Unlimited. That is when I saw your book and downloaded it right away. I noticed several of your books were available on Unlimited." Badseedgirl explanation sort of petered off in the end.
Matt just shook his head, got up and slowly exited the diner, justifiably leaving Badseedgirl to pay the bill.
*I of course have still never met or spoke to Mr. Haig. I still have no idea if this is an accurate portrayal of him as a person. Just saying.
The conversation I would love to have with Matt Haig, author of The Dead Fathers Club and The Radleys.* We would be sitting in that same small diner drinking our hot beverage of choice.
"Hey Mr. Haig, I am so glad you were willing to meet with me again." Badseedgirl said as she slowly sipped her decaf earl grey tea.
Matt said a tad to forcefully "Well you took long enough to get back to me. I though you said you were going to read my other books in that "review." Badseedgirl personally though the air quotes when he said review were unnecessary, but none the less understandable.
"I really meant to but you know how..." but before she could finish the sentence, Matt hissed at her "Six years! you waited six years to give my work another chance. Meanwhile that dumpster fire you called a review slowly crept up the Goodreads review list to become the most liked review for my book. Are you happy with yourself? Do you sleep well at night? "
Badseedgirl held up her hand in a placating manner and said in as calm a voice as she could manage "Please let me explain. I know I said I was going to read your other book and then promptly forgot about it, but I'm old, and busy, and reading is a hobby for me, not career. I am very sorry about that other review. Let me say my piece and if you are still mad at me after, I understand."
Matt slouched back on his side of the booth and waiving his hand in a grand gesture said "I'm listening."
"I loved The Radleys. It was entertaining and the characters were well written. The conversations between characters was smooth and transitioned nicely from character to character. If you remember I said that was my biggest complaint about the last book. I even said I liked the story.
The Radleys will appeal to any person who feels like an outcast. Using vampirism as a metaphor for differentness was inspired, because it works on so many levels. Hiding who you are to please the people around you is unfortunately very common, be it, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, economic status or whatever makes a person different; they should all emphasize with this family.
I do have one question though."
Matt perked up. "What do you want to know?"
Badseedgirl reluctantly asked "Do you have a brother, and if so what the heck did he do to you? This is the second book of yours I have read where
Spoiler
the brother of one of the protagonists, screws his brothers wife and tries to steal her away from the protagonist.Matt sighs and shakes his head. "I'm sorry but I'm not going to discuss my family dynamics with you. If you really want to know, you are going to have to get on the internet and weed through hundreds of posts and articles to try and ferret that information out."
Badseedgirl realized she was just not interested enough to do any research and decided to just leave it at malicious, unresearched gossip, because isn't that how we roll these days with information on the internet!
"So Matt, do you feel you can forgive me with this review?"
Badseedgirl, I just want to know one thing, did you purchase my book, The Radleys?
Now it is Badseedgirl's time to be in the hot seat. "We-e-e-l-l-l-l, you know it is available on Amazon Unlimited, so in a way I did. I got a really great deal on 6 months of Kindle Unlimited. That is when I saw your book and downloaded it right away. I noticed several of your books were available on Unlimited." Badseedgirl explanation sort of petered off in the end.
Matt just shook his head, got up and slowly exited the diner, justifiably leaving Badseedgirl to pay the bill.
*I of course have still never met or spoke to Mr. Haig. I still have no idea if this is an accurate portrayal of him as a person. Just saying.
dancinrio's review against another edition
3.0
A fun little read.
Although I found it easy to suspend my disbelief for the paranormal aspect of this story I was irrationally angry about the liberties Haig has taken with Yorkshire geography. If you are going to set a novel in a real place then it should be where it actually is, not dozens of miles out!
Although I found it easy to suspend my disbelief for the paranormal aspect of this story I was irrationally angry about the liberties Haig has taken with Yorkshire geography. If you are going to set a novel in a real place then it should be where it actually is, not dozens of miles out!
mollywetta's review against another edition
4.0
I’ll admit it. I’m a sucker for vampires (and bad puns). Part domestic drama, part satirical vampire novel, the story of the Radleys captivated me. Imagine if the Cullens had an “accident” and lapsed in their vegetarianism while living in a quiet English town and had to call in the rogue brother-in-law to help them clean up the mess, and you’ve got the basic plot, but don’t assume this is bad Twilight fanfiction. The subtle, biting humor and equal treatment of the parents and teenagers makes this a must read for any vampire fan. Highly recommended!